Carton, a blank for producing a carton, and methods and apparatus for erecting, closing, and sealing a carton

ABSTRACT

A method of and an apparatus for erecting a carton, and a method of and an apparatus for closing a carton. The carton has 180° fold lines with a compressed area at each end and a slit joining the compressed areas. A carton is erected by moving the blank in a first direction against a stop to form a first set of 90° folds, holding the blank stationary with a suction while pushing the blank in a second direction to form a second set of 90° folds, erecting the carton. A filled carton is closed by advancing it through the central opening of a V-shaped member to increasingly fold the carton top panels. The closed carton is sealed by advancing it through a second V-shaped member and into contact with a pivotally supported sealing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/187,407 filed Mar. 7, 2000 and is a divisionalapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/799,611 filed Mar. 7,2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to a carton, a blank for producinga carton, and methods and apparatuses for erecting, closing and sealinga carton. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a cartonwhich can be rapidly and automatically erected and, after filling,automatically and rapidly closed and sealed. The present inventionfurther pertains to methods and apparatuses for erecting, closing, andsealing cartons of different sizes without adjustment of the apparatusesto accommodate the different sizes. The present invention isparticularly suited for, but not limited to, corrugated cartons. Thus,while the following description and drawings make reference tocorrugated cartons, the invention is applicable to cartons of othermaterials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Numerous businesses need to ship large quantities of goods andutilize cartons, particularly corrugated cartons, to hold the goodsduring shipment. Consequently, such businesses desire to be able torapidly erect, fill, close, and seal their shipping cartons. FIG. 1illustrates a typical prior art carton 10 having side surfaces 12 andend surfaces 14. Carton 10 also includes a bottom surface (not shown).Closure panels 16 extend upwardly from side surfaces 12, while closurepanels 18 extend upwardly from end surfaces 14. FIG. 2 depicts a cartonblank 20 from which a carton 10 might be erected. Carton blank 20includes the panels 12-18 shown in FIG. 1 and also bottom panels 22 and24 which correspond, respectively, with the top panels 16 and 18.Preferably, carton blank 20 also includes a sealing strip 26 whichextends from one panel, such as the outermost end panel 14 asillustrated in FIG. 2, so that when the carton is erected, strip 26 canbe sealed to the adjacent side panel 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Toenable the necessary folds, panels 16 and 18 must be separated by slots19, and likewise panels 22 and 24 must be separated by slots 25.Consequently, it is time consuming and expensive to form blank 20.

[0004] Erecting carton 10 from blank 20 requires folding panels 22 and24 inwardly 90°, making 90° folds at the junctions of the panels 12 and14, sealing the junction of the two bottom panels 22, and sealing thesealing strip 26 to the adjacent panel. The several folds must beperformed in sequence, and so require significant time.

[0005] Once carton 10 is filled with goods, panels 18 are foldedinwardly to overlie those goods, and then panels 16 are folded overpanels 18 and the goods to close the carton. The carton then might besealed, for example by applying a tape along the junction of the twopanels 16. FIG. 3 depicts the resulting closed carton 10. The fourseparate closure panels 16, 18 must be separately folded, with panels 18folded before panels 16. Consequently, a significant time is required toclose carton 10. The junction of the two top panels 16 must then besealed.

[0006] While these various operations might be mechanized, still thelarge number of steps results in the operations being time consuming. Inaddition, different sizes of cartons require different equipment sizesin order to perform the operations mechanically. This requires eitherdifferent apparatuses for different carton sizes, or an apparatus whichis adjustable in size, then necessitating the adjustment of the sizeeach time the carton size changes. In addition to being time consuming,these approaches are expensive.

[0007]FIG. 9 depicts a carton 162 having side panels 32, 52 and endpanels 42, 62 which bridge the side panels. First and second top panels72, 112 extend upwardly from side panels 32, 52, while first and secondfold-in panels 92, 132 extend upwardly from end panels 42, 62 and bridgethe top panels. Panels 72, 92, 112 and 132 are joined to theirrespective side panels and end panels 32, 42, 52, 62 by 90° fold lines74, 94, 114, and 134. Each fold-in panel 92, 132 has a pair of foldlines 152 which extend from a point substantially at the center of thepanel upper edge opposite fold line 94, 134 to the corners of the panel92, 132 at the ends of fold line 94, 134. Pressure on any panel 72, 92,112 or 132 can cause the fold-in panels 92, 132 to be folded inwardly onthe fold lines 94, 134, forming a 180° fold at each fold line 152 andcausing top panels 72, 112 to fold over the top of carton 162, asdepicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. Continued such pressure will bring carton162 to its closed condition, depicted in FIG. 12.

[0008] The necessity to make a 180° fold in each fold line 152 haslimited the applicability of this type of carton. By way of example,U.S. Pat. No. 2,439,435 shows such a carton used for moisture-proofpackaging. However, to permit the 180° folds that are necessary, thecarton of this patent is made of paper board. U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,281shows such a carton made of cardboard having a foil to provide aliquid-tight package. U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,315 likewise shows a liquidcontaining package having 180° folds. This package is formed of alaminate of paper, thermal plastic, and possibly aluminum foil. U.S.Pat. No. 2,810,506 shows a carton with 180° folds which is made of asheet material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,707 similarly shows a carton made ofa sheet material coated with thermoplastics to permit containing ofliquids. All of thin material can readily be folded 180°. However,cartons made of such thin materials are unsuitable for heavy dutycartons used for shipping.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 915,579 shows a shipping container made of acorrugated material and utilizing 180° folds on end flaps. However, theend flaps are first crushed to permit such folding. This, of course,destroys the corrugations and weakens the materials. U.S. Pat. No.2,926,777 also shows a shipping container made of a corrugated materialand having 180° folds. However, to permit such folds in the corrugatedmaterial, the fold lines are scored. This severs the corrugation andweakens the material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention is a corrugated cartonincluding top panels joined by fold-in panels that fold 180° on foldlines uniquely designed to facilitate that folding. In a second aspect,the present invention is a blank for producing such a corrugated carton.Further aspects of the present invention are methods of and apparatusesfor erecting, closing, and sealing a corrugated carton. The carton blankhas 180° fold lines that include compressed area at each end and a slitjoining the compressed areas. The apparatus for erecting the cartonincludes a vacuum source for holding the carton stationary as it iserected. The carton closing apparatus includes a V-shaped member thatcloses the carton top regardless of the carton size. The apparatus forsealing the carton has a second V-shaped member and a sealing arm thatis pivotally suspended to bring a sealing wheel into contact with thecarton. The carton can be erected, closed, and sealed by hand, ifdesired, and such manual operations are more readily done with thecarton of the present invention than with the prior art carton ofFIG. 1. All the panels that close the carton can be folded into place atthe same time by simply pressing on any one of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other aspects and advantages of the present inventionare more apparent from the following detailed description and claims,particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like parts bear like reference numerals: In thedrawings:

[0012]FIG. 1 depicts an open prior art carton;

[0013]FIG. 2 depicts a carton blank from which the carton of FIG. 1 canbe erected;

[0014]FIG. 3 depicts the carton of FIG. 1 closed;

[0015]FIG. 4 depicts a first preferred embodiment of a carton blank inaccordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of area 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a 180° fold as made in a cartonblank in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] FIGS. 9-13 depict a carton in accordance with the presentinvention in various degrees of closing;

[0021] FIGS. 14-21 illustrate preferred embodiments of a method of andan apparatus for erecting a carton in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 22 depicts a second preferred embodiment of a carton blank inaccordance with the present invention;

[0023] FIGS. 23-28 illustrate preferred embodiments of methods andapparatuses for closing and sealing a carton in accordance with thepresent invention; and

[0024]FIG. 29 depicts an alternative embodiment of a carton inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025]FIG. 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of a carton blank 30 fromwhich a carton in accordance with the present invention can be erected.Blank 30 includes a first side panel 32 having a first end edge 34, asecond end edge 36, a top edge 38 and a bottom edge 40. End edges 34 and36 are substantially parallel with each other, while top edge 38 andbottom edge 40 are substantially parallel with each other andsubstantially perpendicular to edges 34 and 36. Blank 30 furtherincludes a first end panel 42 having a first side edge 44, a second sideedge 46, a top edge 48, and a bottom edge 50. Carton blank 30 alsoincludes a second side panel 52 having a first end edge 54, a second endedge 56, a top edge 58, and a bottom edge 60. Carton 30 further includesa second end panel 62 having a first side edge 64, a second side edge66, a top edge 68, and a bottom edge 70. Edges 46, 54, 56, 64 and 66 aresubstantially parallel with edge 34, while edges 48, 58, and 68 areextensions of edge 38, and edges 50, 60, and 70 are extensions of edge40.

[0026] Carton blank 30 also includes a first top panel 72 having a firstside edge 74, a second side edge 76, a first end edge 78, and a secondend edge 80. Edges 74 and 76 are substantially parallel with edge 38,and edges 78 and 80 are extensions of edges 34 and 36, respectively.Carton blank 30 includes a first bottom panel 82 having a first sideedge 84, a second side edge 86, a first end edge 88, and a second endedge 90. Edges 84 and 86 are substantially parallel with edge 38, whileedges 88 and 90 are extensions of edges 34 and 36, respectively. Cartonblank 30 also includes a first fold-in panel 92 having a first end edge94, a second end edge 96, a first side edge 98, and a second side edge100. Edges 94 and 96 are extensions of edges 74 and 76, respectively,while edges 98 and 100 are extensions of edges 44 and 46, respectively.Carton blank 30 has a second fold-in panel 102 having a first end edge104, a second end edge 106, a first side edge 108, and a second sideedge 110. Edges 104 and 106 are extensions of edges 84 and 86respectively, while edges 108 and 110 are extensions of edges 44 and 46,respectively. Carton blank 30 includes a second top panel 112 having afirst side edge 114, a second side edge 116, a first end edge 118, and asecond end edge 120. Edges 114 and 116 are extensions of edges 94 and96, respectively, while edges 118 and 120 are extensions of edges 54 and56, respectively. Carton blank 30 includes a second bottom panel 122having a first side edge 124, a second side edge 126, a first end edge128, and a second end edge 130. Edges 124 and 126 are extensions ofedges 104 and 106, respectively, while edges 128 and 130 are extensionsof edges 54 and 56, respectively. Carton blank additionally includes athird fold-in panel 132 having a first end edge 134, a second end edge136, a first side edge 138, and a second side edge 140. Edges 134 and136 are extensions of edges 114 and 116, respectively, while edges 138and 140 are extensions of edges 64 and 66, respectively. Carton blank 30includes a fourth fold-in panel 142 having a first end edge 144, asecond end edge 146, a first side edge 148 and a second side edge 150.Edges 144 and 146 are extensions of edges 124 and 126, respectively,while edges 148 and 150 are extensions of edges 64 and 66, respectively.

[0027] First end panel 42 extends from first side panel 32, with firstside edge 44 of first end panel 42 joined to second side edge 36 offirst side panel 32 to define a 90° fold line. Second side panel 52extends from first end panel 42, with first end edge 54 joined to secondside edge 46 to define a 180° fold line. Second end panel 62 extendsfrom second side panel 52, with first side edge 64 joined to second endedge 56 to define a 90° fold line. First top panel 72 extends from firstside panel 32, with first side edge 74 joined to top edge 38 to define a90° fold line. First bottom panel 82 extends from first side panel 32,with first side edge 84 joined to bottom edge 40 to define a 90° foldline. First fold-in panel 92 extends from first end panel 42, with firstend edge 94 joined to top edge 48 to define a 90° fold line and withfirst side edge 98 joined to second end edge 80 to define a 180° foldline. Second fold-in panel 102 extends from first end panel 42, withfirst end edge 104 joined to bottom edge 50 to define a 90° fold lineand with first side edge 108 joined to second end edge 90 to define a180° fold line. Second top panel 112 extends from second side panel 52,with first side edge 114 joined to top edge 58 to define a 90° fold lineand with first end edge 118 joined to second side edge 100 of firstfold-in panel 92 to define a 180° fold line. Second bottom panel 122extends from second side panel 52, with first side edge 124 joined tobottom edge 60 to define a 90° fold line and with first end edge 128joined to second side edge 110 of second fold-in panel 102 to define a180° fold line. Third fold-in panel 132 extends from second end panel62, with first end edge 134 joined to top edge 68 to define a 90° foldline and with first side edge 138 joined to second end edge 120 of toppanel 112 to define a 180° fold line. Fourth fold-in panel 142 extendsfrom second end panel 62, with first end edge 144 joined to bottom edge70 to define a 90° fold line and with first side edge 148 joined tosecond end edge 130 of bottom panel 122 to define a 180° fold line.

[0028] Each fold-in panel 92, 102, 132, and 142 includes a pair of 180°fold lines 152 which extend from a point on the second end edge 96, 106,136, 146, of the respective panel substantially midway between the firstand second side edges of such panel to points at the intersections ofthe first end edge 94, 104, 134, 144 of the respective panel to pointsat the intersections of that first end edge and the first and secondside edges of such panel.

[0029] Preferably, carton blank 30 also includes a sealing strip 154,for example extending from third fold-in panel 132, second end panel 62,and fourth fold-in panel 142 as depicted in FIG. 4. Sealing strip 154includes fold lines which are extensions of the 90° fold lines definedby edges 68 and 134 and edges 70 and 144. After carton blank 30 has beenmanufactured, it is folded 180° on the fold line defined by edges 46,54, 100, 110, 118, and 128, and sealing strip 154 is sealed to panels72, 32, and 82, forming the folded carton blank as depicted in FIG. 15.Alternatively, sealing strip 154 can be omitted, and panels 132, 62, and142 sealed to panels 72, 32, and 82 by other means such as a sealingtape. Further, instead of making folded carton blank in one piece, itcan be made in two pieces which are then sealed together, as discussedbelow with regard to FIG. 22.

[0030] FIGS. 5-8 show the form of the 180° fold lines. Each 180° foldline includes first and second compressed areas 156 which extend fromopposite ends of the 180° fold line for a distance in the order of abouttwo inches and which are joined by a slit 158. Each compressed area 156is preferably oval in shape with a maximum width in the order of fromabout ⅜ inch to about ½ inch for standard packing carton corrugatedpanels. As can be seen in FIG. 6, each compressed area 156 extends intothe material of carton blank 30 a substantial distance, while leavingthe adjacent panel portions joined. Preferably, a protrusion 160 extendsfrom the undersurface of carton blank 30, substantially along the centerline of each compressed area 156 to define a fold line. As can be seenin FIG. 7, each slit 158 extends through carton blank 30.

[0031]FIG. 8 illustrate the manner in which carton blank 30 can befolded 180° as a result of the 180° fold lines formed by compressedareas 156 and slits 158. As can be seen in FIG. 8, as a result ofcompressed areas 156, the 180° fold is readily made without undulystressing the carton blank material.

[0032] FIGS. 9-13 illustrate the manner in which a carton 162 formedfrom carton blank 30 can be closed after the carton has been erected andfilled. In FIG. 9, carton 162 is illustrated with top panels 72 and 112and first and second fold-in panels 92 and 132 extending upwardly fromtheir corresponding side panels and end panels. FIG. 10 illustratescarton 162 when fold-in panels 92 and 132 are initially folded in on180° fold lines 152. Top panels 72 and 112 are folded partiallytogether. FIG. 11 depicts carton 162 with the fold-in panels 152 furtherfolded in and with top panels 72 and 112 folded closer together. FIG. 12illustrates carton 162 full closed. FIG. 13 shows the closed carton 162with top panels 72 and 112 sealed together, for example by a sealingtape 164. Carton 162 can be closed and sealed with the method andapparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, if desired, carton162 can be closed and sealed, as well as erected, manually. Manualerecting and closing of carton 162 can be done rapidly by simplypressing on any one of the bottom panels to erect the carton and any oneof the top panels to close the carton. Pressing on any one of the bottompanels or of the top panels causes all of the bottom panels or the toppanels to fold inwardly, closing the bottom or the top.

[0033] FIGS. 14-21 illustrate an apparatus 166 for erecting carton 162from carton blank 30 in accordance with a preferred embodiment thepresent invention. Apparatus 166 includes an erecting surface 168. Anumber of carton blanks 30 are provided adjacent one end of erectingsurface 168, preferably standing on edge as illustrated in FIG. 14. Whena carton 162 is to be erected, one of the carton blanks 30 is releasedfrom the stack and falls onto erecting surface 168 as depicted in FIG.15. Carton blank 30 is then supported on erecting surface 168 with endpanel 62 overlying a portion of side panel 32, with third and fourthfold-in panels 132 and 142 overlying portions of first top panel 72 andfirst bottom panel 82 respectively, and with sealing strip 154 sealed toside panel 32, top panel 72 and bottom panel 82. If desired, rather thanthe single piece carton blank 30 of FIG. 4, the carton blank could beformed of two blanks 169 as illustrated in FIG. 22. The two blanks 169are then positioned one over the other, with one rotated 180° withrespect to the other, and the sealing strip of each blank is sealed tothe other blank. This construction provides a carton blank 30 just asillustrated in FIG. 15.

[0034] A first actuator 170 is provided adjacent one end of erectingsurface 168, and a second actuator 174 is provided adjacent one side ofthe erecting surface, as depicted in FIG. 14. A vacuum belt 175 having anumber of openings 176 defines an erecting position adjacent the cornerof erecting surface 168 remote from actuators 170 and 174. Openings 176are connected to a vacuum source (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 16,first actuator 170 advances the carton blank 30 until the joined edges34 and 66 abut against a stop member 172 adjacent the end of erectingsurface 168 opposite actuator 170. Second actuator 174 then advances theblank 30 in a direction perpendicular to that of actuator 170 so thatone corner of blank 170 overlies the openings 176 at a portion of vacuumbelt 175, as depicts in FIG. 17. Suction is then applied throughopenings 174, firmly holding in place bottom panel 82, which is beneathfourth fold-in panel 142. First actuator 170 advances further, causingthe carton blank to fold 90° on the fold lines defined by the respectivejoined edges 36-42, 80-98, 90-108, 46-54, 100-118, 110-128, 56-64,120-138, and 130-148, bringing the partially erected carton to theposition depicted in FIG. 18. As illustrated in FIG. 19, second actuator174 then advances the carton blank in its direction of travel whilesuction is continued through openings 176, causing the carton blank tofold 90° on the fold lines defined by the respective joined edges 38-74,40-84, 48-94, 50-104, 58-114, 60-124, 68-134, and 70-144. This erectsthe carton 162 and positions it over several of the openings 176 ofvacuum belt 175, as depicted in FIG. 19. FIG. 20 illustrates vacuum belt175 moving carton 162 over a sealing unit 178, for example a tapesealing unit, which seals bottom panels 82 and 122 together, completingthe erection of carton 162. FIG. 21 then depicts the erected carton 162being conveyed for filling while a second carton blank 30 is releasedonto erecting surface 168.

[0035] FIGS. 23-28 illustrate the closing of the filled carton 162 inaccordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. Filledcartons are conveyed by a first conveyor 180 to a conveyor 182 of cartonclosing apparatus 184. A pair of upwardly extending frame member 186pivotally support a V-shaped centering member 188 above conveyor 182. Asseen in FIG. 24, centering member 188 includes a pair of arms 190 whichhave their upper ends pivotally mounted to the upper ends of framemembers 186. The lower ends of arms 190 are connected together at apoint above substantially the center of conveyor 182. As the filledcontainer 162 progresses on conveyor 182, it enters the central openingbetween arms 190 of centering member 188. As container 162 progressesfurther, arms 190 contact the top panels 72 and 112 of carton 162. Theinitial contact assures that carton 162 is substantially centered onconveyor 182. Further movement of container 162 on conveyor 182 bringscarton 162 into a more narrow portion of the central opening ofcentering member 188, as depicted in FIG. 25. This causes arms 190 toforce top panels 72 and 112 to fold, resulting in fold-in panels 92 and132 folding progressively inwardly as depicted in FIGS. 10, 11 and 26.Continued movement of carton 162 on conveyor 182 results in full closingof top panel 72 and 112 over the carton as depicted in FIGS. 27 and 28,providing the closed carton of FIG. 12.

[0036] The V-shaped form of centering member 188 allows carton closingapparatus 184 to be used with cartons of various sizes. Regardless ofthe height or width of the carton, its top panels 72 and 112 willcontact arms 190 and be closed as the carton progresses on conveyor 182.

[0037] Once the carton 162 is fully closed, as depicted in FIG. 27, thecarton can be sealed by sealing apparatus 192. As depicted in FIG. 23,sealing apparatus 192 includes a conveyor 194 to which the closedcartons are transferred from conveyor 182. FIG. 23 depicts a closedcarton 162 a on conveyor 194. Closing apparatus 192 includes a pair offrame members 196 which pivotally support a centering member 198,similar to centering member 188. Again, centering member 198 assuresthat carton 162 a is substantially centered on conveyor 194. Supportmembers 196 further pivotally support sealing arm 200 above the centralopening of centering member 198. Sealing arm 200 rotatably supports areel 202 of tape or other suitable sealing material. Sealing arm 200terminates in a first sealing roller 204 and pivotally supports an arm206 which supports a second sealing roller 208. Tape 210 from reel 202wraps around rollers 208 and 204 and onto the leading end panel 62 ofcarton 162 a, as depicted in FIG. 23. As carton 162 a progresses onconveyor 194, sealing arm 200 pivots upwardly, bringing sealing rollers204 and 208 onto the top surface of the closed carton 162. This appliestape along the junction of top panels 72 and 112 of carton 162 a, asillustrated in FIG. 25. Further movement of carton 162 a on conveyor 194results in rollers 204 and 208 progressing down the second end panel 42of carton 162 a, as depicted in FIG. 27. The sealing mechanism caninclude a blade or other suitable means which is actuated by movement ofthe arm 206 to the position of FIG. 27 to cut the tape once carton 162 ais fully sealed.

[0038]FIG. 29 depicts an alternative embodiment of carton 162 b having astrip 212 of sealing tape afixed to top panel 112 so that when toppanels 72 and 112 are closed, the strip will adhere to panel 72, sealingthe carton. With this embodiment, sealing apparatus 192 is notnecessary.

[0039] The present invention is thus seen to provide an improved cartonblank that can be readily erected closed, and sealed, and improvedmethods of and apparatuses for erecting, closing, and scaling cartons.Although the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, rearrangements, alterations, and substitutions can be made,and still the result will be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of closing a carton having a bottomsurface, first and second side surfaces extending upwardly from firstand second sides of the bottom surface respectively, first and secondend surfaces extending upwardly from first and second ends of the bottomsurface respectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and secondside surfaces, first and second top panels extending upwardly from thefirst and second side surfaces respectively, and first and secondfold-in panels extending upwardly from the first and second end surfacesrespectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and second toppanels, said method comprising: providing a movement path beneath thecentral opening of a substantially V shaped centering member having twoarms, each arm having a first end and a second end, the first arm endsbeing spaced apart to form the wide end of the V shape and the secondarm ends being connected together to form the point of the V shape, withthe centering member central opening between the arms, the centeringmember wide end being pivotally mounted above the movement path and thecentering member point hanging down toward the movement path; andadvancing the carton along the movement path and through the centralopening of the centering member from the wide end toward the narrow endto cause the arms to contact the carton top panels and fold the toppanels over the carton, with the carton fold-in panels folding inwardlybeneath the top panels, thereby closing the carton.
 2. A method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the movement path extends beneath thecentral opening of a second substantially V shaped centering memberhaving two arms, each arm of the second centering member having a firstend and a second end, the first arm ends of the second centering memberbeing spaced apart to form the wide end of the V shape of the secondcentering member and the second arm ends of the second centering memberbeing connected together to form the point of the V shape of the secondcentering member, with the second centering member central openingbetween the arms of the second centering member, the second centeringmember wide end being pivotally mounted above the extended movement pathand the second centering member point hanging down toward the extendedmovement path, the second centering member further having a sealing armwith a first end pivotally mounted above the central opening of thesecond centering member and a second end hanging down toward themovement path and having a seal dispenser thereon, said method furthercomprising: advancing the closed carton along the extended movement pathand through the central opening of the second centering member to causethe seal dispenser to dispense a sealing material onto adjacent edges ofthe top panels, sealing the first and second top panels together to sealthe closed carton.
 3. Apparatus for closing a carton having a bottomsurface, first and second side surfaces extending upwardly from firstand second sides of the bottom surface respectively, first and secondend surfaces extending upwardly from first and second ends of the bottomsurface respectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and secondside surfaces, first and second top panels extending upwardly from thefirst and second side surfaces respectively, and first and secondfold-in panels extending upwardly from the first and second end surfacesrespectively and bridging opposite ends of the first and second toppanels, said apparatus comprising: means defining a movement path; asubstantially V shaped centering member having two arms, each arm havinga first end and a second end, the first arm ends being spaced apart toform the wide end of the V shape and the second arm ends being connectedtogether to form the point of the V shape with a central opening betweenthe arms; and means pivotally mounting the centering member wide endabove the movement path with the centering member point hanging downtoward the movement path.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising: a second substantially V shaped centering member having twoarms, each arm of the second centering member having a first end and asecond end, the first arm ends of the second centering member beingspaced apart to form the wide end of the V shape of the second centeringmember and the second arm ends of the second centering member beingconnected together to form the point of the V shape of the secondcentering member, with a central opening between the arms of the secondcentering member; means pivotally mounting the second centering memberwide end above the movement path with the second centering member pointhanging down toward the movement path; a sealing arm; means pivotallymounting the first end of the sealing arm above the central opening ofthe second centering member with the second end of the sealing memberhanging down toward the movement path; and a seal dispenser mounted onthe second end of the sealing arm.
 5. A method of erecting a carton froma pair of blanks, each blank including a side panel having substantiallyparallel first and second end edges and substantially parallel top andbottom edges extending substantially perpendicular to the end edges; anend panel having first and second side edges substantially parallel withthe side panel end edges and having substantially parallel top andbottom edges, said end panel extending from said side panel with the endpanel first side edge joined to the side panel second end edge to definea first 90° fold line and with the end panel top and bottom edges beingextensions of the side panel top and bottom edges respectively; a toppanel having first and second side edges substantially parallel with theside panel top edge, and having substantially parallel first and secondend edges, said top panel extending from said side panel with the toppanel first side edge joined to the side panel top edge to define asecond 90° fold line and with the top panel first and second end edgesbeing extensions of the side panel first and second end edgesrespectively; a bottom panel having first and second side edgessubstantially parallel with the side panel bottom edge, and havingsubstantially parallel first and second end edges, said bottom panelextending from said side panel with the bottom panel first side edgejoined to the side panel bottom edge to define a third 90° fold line andwith the bottom panel first and second end edges being extensions of theside panel first and second end edges respectively; a first fold-inpanel having first and second end edges substantially parallel with theend panel top edge, and having substantially parallel first and secondside edges, said first fold-in panel extending from said end panel withthe first fold-in panel first end edge joined to the end panel top edgeto define a fourth 90° fold line, with the first fold-in panel sideedges being extensions of the end panel first and second side edges,respectively, and with the first fold-in panel first side edge joined tothe top panel second end edge to define a first 180° fold line; a secondfold-in panel having first and second end edges substantially parallelwith the end panel bottom edge, and having substantially parallel firstand second side edges, said second fold-in panel extending from said endpanel with the second fold-in panel first end edge joined to the endpanel bottom edge to define a fifth 90° fold line, with the secondfold-in panel side edges being extensions of the end panel first andsecond side edges respectively, and with the second fold-in panel firstside edge joined to the bottom panel second end edge to define a second180° fold line; each fold-in panel having 180° fold lines extending froma point on the second end edge thereof substantially midway between thefirst and second side edges thereof to points at the intersections ofthe first end edge thereof and the first and second side edges thereof,the blanks overlying each other with the end panel of one blankoverlying a portion of and joined to the side panel of the other blankand the fold-in panels of the one blank overlying portions of and joinedto the top and bottom panels of the other blank, the joined panelsdefining further 180° fold lines, said method comprising: positioningthe blanks on an erecting surface with a stop member adjacent the endpanel of one of the blanks; advancing the blanks in a first directionagainst the stop member to cause the blanks to form 90° folds on thefirst 90° fold line, the first and second 180° fold lines and thefurther 180° fold lines; applying suction beneath one of the top paneland the bottom panel of the underlying one of the blanks; advancing theblanks in a direction perpendicular to the first direction with thesuction maintaining the one panel substantially stationary to cause theblanks to form 90° folds on the second and third 90° fold lines and toform 180° folds on the 180° fold lines of the second and fourth fold-inpanels; and on the fold lines joining the fold-in panels to the top andbottom panels; and sealing the bottom panels of the two blanks together.6. Apparatus for erecting a carton from a pair of blanks, each blankincluding a side panel having substantially parallel first and secondend edges and substantially parallel top and bottom edges extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the end edges; an end panel having firstand second side edges substantially parallel with the side panel endedges, and having substantially parallel top and bottom edges, said endpanel extending from said side panel with the end panel first side edgejoined to the side panel second end edge to define a first 90° fold lineand with the end panel top and bottom edges being extensions of the sidepanel top and bottom edges respectively; a top panel having first andsecond side edges substantially parallel with the side panel top edge,and having substantially parallel first and second end edges, said toppanel extending from said side panel with the top panel first side edgejoined to the side panel top edge to define a second 90° fold line andwith the top panel first and second end edges being extensions of theside panel first and second end edges respectively; a bottom panelhaving first and second side edges substantially parallel with the sidepanel bottom edge, and having substantially parallel first and secondend edges, said bottom panel extending from said side panel with thebottom panel first side edge joined to the side panel bottom edge todefine a third 90° fold line and with the bottom panel first and secondend edges being extensions of the side panel first and second end edgesrespectively; a first fold-in panel having first and second end edgessubstantially parallel with the end panel top edge, and havingsubstantially parallel first and second side edges, said first fold-inpanel extending from said end panel with the first fold-in panel firstend edge joined to the end panel top edge to define a fourth 90° foldline, with the first fold-in panel side edges being extensions of theend panel first and second side edges respectively, and with the firstfold-in panel first side edge joined to the top panel second end edge todefine a first 180° fold line; a second fold-in panel having first andsecond end edges substantially parallel with the end panel bottom edge,and having substantially parallel first and second side edges, saidsecond fold-in panel extending from said end panel with the secondfold-in panel first end edge joined to the end panel bottom edge todefine a fifth 90° fold line, with the second fold-in panel side edgesbeing extensions of the end panel first and second side edgesrespectively, and with the second fold-in panel first side edge joinedto the bottom panel second end edge to define a second 180° fold line;each fold-in panel having 180° fold lines extending from a point on thesecond end edge thereof substantially midway between the first andsecond side edges thereof to points at the intersections of the firstend edge thereof and the first and second side edges thereof, saidapparatus comprising: an erecting surface for supporting the blanks withthe end panel of one blank overlying a portion of and joined to the sidepanel of the other blank and the fold-in panels of the one blankoverlying portions of and joined to the top and bottom panels of theother blank, the joined panels defining further 180° fold lines; a stopmember on said erecting surface; a first actuator for advancing theblanks in a first direction against the stop member to cause the blanksto form 90° folds on the first 90° fold line, the first and second 180°fold lines, and the further 180° fold lines; a vacuum source forapplying suction beneath one of the top panel and the bottom panel ofthe underlying one of the blanks; a second actuator for advancing theblanks in a direction perpendicular to the first direction while suctionfrom the vacuum source maintains the one panel substantially stationaryto cause the blanks to form 90° folds on the second and third 90° foldlines and to form 180° folds on the 180° fold lines of the fold-inpanels and on the fold lines joining the fold-in panels to the top andbottom panels; and a sealing mechanism for sealing the bottom panels ofthe two blanks together.